Mother Faces Homicide Charge After 11-Month-Old Baby Weighing Just 4 Pounds Dies in Filthy, Insect-Infested Apartment

A South Carolina mother is facing a significantly more serious criminal charge after her 11-month-old baby was found dead, weighing barely more than four pounds, inside an apartment investigators described as filthy and infested with cockroaches and flies. Authorities say the infant died from starvation and pneumonia linked to severe neglect. The heartbreaking discovery was made months ago, but new forensic findings have now led prosecutors to pursue a homicide charge against the child’s mother.

The baby was discovered on June 17, 2026, inside an apartment on Eleanor Drive in North Charleston, South Carolina. Firefighters were already attempting lifesaving measures when officers arrived. The infant was reportedly found partially wrapped in a blanket near the front doorway, but emergency medical personnel ultimately pronounced the child dead at the scene. According to the arrest warrant, the baby appeared severely emaciated and weighed approximately 4 pounds and 13 ounces — an extraordinarily low weight for a child approaching their first birthday.

Investigators later searched the apartment and reportedly found conditions that raised serious concerns about the child’s care. The residence was described as being in deplorable condition, with cockroaches and flies throughout the home, including inside the refrigerator and drawers. Authorities also reported finding no food or essential childcare supplies. The investigation further revealed that the baby had been born prematurely and diagnosed with sickle cell disease, a condition requiring regular medical attention. However, investigators allege that the mother failed to take the child to any of the medically necessary appointments.

The medical findings made the case even more disturbing. According to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, an autopsy determined that the infant died from starvation accompanied by acute bronchopneumonia due to neglect. The findings prompted investigators to reassess the circumstances of the death and pursue more serious charges against the mother. The child’s death was classified as a homicide, meaning authorities determined it resulted from another person’s actions or omissions rather than natural causes.

The mother, identified as 27-year-old Janette Elizabeth Clayton, had initially been arrested in June and charged with three counts of unlawful conduct toward a child. On November 4, 2026, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division announced that she was additionally charged with homicide by child abuse. The case is now being handled by the Ninth Circuit Solicitor’s Office. Clayton has remained in custody at the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center in Charleston County since her initial arrest, according to court records.

The investigation has also raised questions about earlier police involvement at the apartment. Two North Charleston police officers who had previously responded to the residence were reportedly placed on leave after the child’s death. Authorities have not publicly detailed the full circumstances of those earlier visits or announced the outcome of any internal review. For now, the case against Clayton centers on the allegations of prolonged neglect, the lack of necessary medical care and the conditions in which the infant was living. The child was less than a year old, and investigators say the medical evidence points to a death that could have been prevented with proper care.

Source: Law&Crime